Lymph node metastasis in cancer progression: molecular mechanisms, clinical significance and therapeutic interventions
Seven Early Warning Signs Of Killer Silent Cancer - All Men Need To Know
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among males in the UK but not everybody knows about the symptoms to look out for - here are seven early warning signs
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK (Image: Getty Images)
Thousands of men across the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.
It is the most common cancer among males so it is vitally important for men to know the signs of prostate cancer and how to check for it.
According to Cancer Research UK, there are around 55,100 new prostate cancer cases in the UK every year, which is roughly 150 every day. Sadly, there are around 12,000 prostate cancer deaths in the UK every year, an average of 33 a day.
Older men are far more susceptible to getting prostate cancer. Between 2017-2098, 34 per cent of diagnosed cases were men aged 75 or over. Projections suggest there could be around 85,100 new cases of prostate cancer every year in the UK by 2038-2040. So what are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
One in eight men get prostate cancer in their lifetime (Image:
Getty Images/iStockphoto) Symptoms of prostate cancerProstate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs for many years. However, the NHS lists the following as possible symptoms of prostate cancer.
Having these symptoms does not mean you have prostate cancer. They should not be ignored, though, and it's best to get checked by your local GP.
It's possible it could be something like prostate enlargement, something that can occur naturally as a person gets older. This is a non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and is when the growing prostate gland can press on the urethra.
The chances of developing prostate cancer increase as you get older, with most cases developing in men 50 or older. Regular checks are important. Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer are also more susceptible. According to the NHS, recent research also suggests that obesity increases the risk of prostate cancer.
It's important men know the symptoms of prostate cancer (Image:
Getty Images/iStockphoto) Getting checkedWith one in eight men getting prostate cancer in their lifetime, it's vitally important to check yourself regularly. If you think you might be at risk of prostate cancer or are experiencing any symptoms, visit your GP or speak to the specialist nurses at Prostate Cancer UK. This support is offered over the phone and online.
Men over the age of 50 can ask their GP to have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test on the NHS, a blood test which measures the level of PSA and may help detect early prostate cancer. Other common tests include a physical examination of your prostate, known as a digital rectal examination (DRE). If you have a raised PSA level, you may be offered an MRI scan of the prostate to help doctors decide if you need further tests and treatment.
Of the DRE test, Prostate Cancer UK said: "The doctor or nurse will ask you to lie on your side on an examination table, with your knees brought up towards your chest. They will slide a finger gently into your back passage. They'll wear gloves and put some gel on their finger to make it more comfortable.
"You may find the DRE slightly uncomfortable or embarrassing, but the test isn't usually painful and it doesn't take long. You can ask your GP if you would like to have someone there for support, for example, your partner, a friend or a chaperone."
How To Manage Prostate Cancer Side Effects With Supportive Therapy
Prostate cancer treatment can be lifesaving, but it can also cause many side effects. Your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes, medications, and procedures to help you reduce these side effects.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in males in the United States, besides skin cancer. People often have an excellent outlook when the cancer is caught in its early stages. The survival rate for prostate cancer is among the highest of any type of cancer.
Some of the most common treatments for prostate cancer include:
You may develop side effects from these treatments that affect your sexual or urinary health, as well as general side effects like fatigue or mood changes. Read on to learn how to reduce these side effects.
Pain around your pelvis
Pain is a potential side effect of surgery to remove your prostate and some other treatments like radiation therapy.
Urinary dysfunction
Radiation therapy or surgery can cause problems passing urine. You might feel:
Erectile dysfunction
After surgery, you'll have "dry" orgasms since you no longer produce semen (which also means you can no longer initiate a pregnancy). For some people, orgasms might be less intense or cause pain.
Hair loss
Radiation therapy may cause pubic hair loss. Chemotherapy can cause hair loss on your head and other parts of your body.
Bowel dysfunction
Radiation therapy can cause many problems with your bowel function, such as:
Low testosterone and related side effects
Fatigue and tiredness
Hormone blocking therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy can cause fatigue. Fatigue tends to worsen as treatment continues, but it often gets better gradually after treatment ends.
Sore skin and mouth sores
Radiation therapy can cause sore skin around the treated area. Chemotherapy has a broad effect on cells in your body that replicate quickly and can cause skin and mouth sores.
Neuropathy
Chemotherapy medications can damage the peripheral nerves in your limbs. This is called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. It often causes symptoms like tingling or numbness in your hands and feet.
Nausea and vomiting
Decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting are among the most common side effects of chemotherapy.
Depression
Depression is a potential side effect of hormone therapy.
Bone pain and associated side effects
Hormone therapy can make you more prone to:
Here are some of the home remedies that can help you manage prostate cancer symptoms.
Pelvis pain
Some people find taking a warm or cool bath after surgery or radiation therapy helps reduce pain. It's important to speak with your doctor before applying either heat or cold.
Urinary dysfunction
Urinary dysfunction often improves as your body recovers. Performing pelvic floor exercises called Kegels may help you improve symptoms of urinary dysfunction. Drinking plenty of water may also help with some bladder problems.
Erectile dysfunction
You can help improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction by giving your body plenty of time to rest. Eating a balanced diet that prioritizes nutrient-rich foods and reducing stress in your life can also potentially help reduce your symptoms.
Bowel dysfunction
You can help improve bowel dysfunction by:
Fatigue
The best way to treat fatigue is by resting more often than usual.
Sore skin
Low testosterone
Your testosterone levels will continue to increase once you finish hormone therapy. You can support your body's recovery by resting as much as possible.
The following medications may help you reduce prostate cancer treatment side effects.
Pain
Medications for urinary symptoms
Your doctor might prescribe medications like anticholinergics or alpha-blockers to help relax your bladder and allow your bladder to fill more before it feels full.
Erectile dysfunction
Your doctor might recommend PDE5 inhibitors for treating erectile dysfunction. These medications include:
Nausea and vomiting drugs
Your doctor may recommend medications to reduce nausea and vomiting, such as:
Depression
Your doctor may recommend antidepressants to treat depression linked to your cancer treatment if lifestyle strategies alone aren't effective.
Hot flashes
For hot flashes, your doctor may prescribe:
The following medical procedures might help treat complications of prostate cancer treatment.
Urinary incontinence surgery
If conservative treatments aren't effective, your doctor may recommend surgery to improve urinary incontinence.
Your doctor may fit you for an artificial urinary sphincter, which involves putting an inflatable ring around your urethra that's controllable with a pump.
Surgery is only used when other treatments have not worked since it comes with an additional risk of complications, like infections or mechanical failure.
Erectile dysfunction
If other treatments aren't effective for erectile dysfunction, your doctor may recommend penile implants. These procedures allow you to achieve an erection using either an inflatable or mechanical device.
Penile implants come with some risks, like severe bleeding or scarring that affects your ability to urinate.
Laser therapy for rectal bleeding
Laser therapy can help treat rectal bleeding caused by radiation therapy. It's often an effective treatment but can come with a small risk of side effects like scarring and painful skin.
5 Reasons Fathers Should Share Their Prostate Cancer Diagnosis With Their Sons
When a father receives the life-changing news of a prostate cancer diagnosis, the first thoughts that often come to mind are about family — especially their sons. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men, and sharing the diagnosis with sons can be an essential conversation, though not an easy one.
Promoting early awareness and screeningProstate cancer often develops silently, with no early symptoms. This makes it crucial for men to be proactive in their health care. By sharing a diagnosis, fathers can raise awareness among their sons about the importance of regular screening and understanding risk factors. Sons need to realize that having a father or close relative with prostate cancer significantly increases their own risk.
Early screening can mean early detection, and early detection can be lifesaving. This information might be the push needed for a son to schedule that first check-up, ask about prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, or learn more about potential warning signs.
Too often, men don't talk about their health. Starting a conversation about prostate cancer can also open the door to discussions about other aspects of health and wellness. It's a way to break the silence and normalize health care conversations within the family, helping sons to be more vigilant and active in monitoring their own health.
Breaking the cycle of silence and stigmaCancer can carry a stigma that makes people reluctant to talk about it, and prostate cancer is no exception. Due to its association with masculinity, intimacy and personal health, the topic is often shrouded in discomfort and silence. By openly discussing their diagnosis, fathers can break this cycle, showing their sons that it's okay to talk about personal health issues.
Such a disclosure fosters emotional bonding and creates a space for sons to offer support to their fathers, making the family unit stronger. When fathers share openly, they demonstrate vulnerability, courage and strength — qualities that sons can emulate. For many men, seeing their fathers face health challenges with transparency and determination is a lesson in resilience, teaching them how to handle adversity.
Encouraging family health history awarenessUnderstanding one's family health history is vital to managing future health risks. Prostate cancer can have a hereditary component, and sons need to know their genetic predisposition to be more vigilant about their health care. Discussing the diagnosis allows sons to understand their family's medical history and take proactive steps to maintain their well-being.
A father's diagnosis is not just a medical revelation; it's an opportunity for sons to take charge of their health proactively. Knowledge is empowering, and being informed about a potential increased risk allows sons to make better lifestyle choices, like maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active and avoiding risk factors such as smoking.
Normalizing conversations about male health issuesMen's health issues, particularly those affecting the reproductive system, often don't get the attention they deserve. This is partly due to societal norms that discourage men from discussing vulnerabilities. Fathers who discuss their prostate cancer diagnosis help change the narrative around male health, demonstrating to their sons that it's normal to talk about health concerns, seek medical advice and pursue treatment options without shame.
Discussing the realities of living with prostate cancer — such as treatments, lifestyle adjustments and emotional experiences — can destigmatize not just the condition itself but also the idea of seeking medical intervention and support. Sons learn that taking care of one's health involves more than just physical well-being; it's about mental and emotional health, too.
Building trust and creating a legacy of opennessWhen fathers share deeply personal experiences with their sons, it builds trust and cements a legacy of open communication within the family. Such honesty and vulnerability make it clear that a father's role extends beyond being a provider or protector — he's also a teacher and mentor in all aspects of life, including health.
The conversation around prostate cancer isn't just a one-time talk; it's a legacy of health awareness that fathers pass on to their sons. This legacy can extend even further — sons who learn to be health-conscious and communicative about their health may pass these traits on to their own children. This creates a multi-generational impact where family health history is shared openly, and preventive measures are valued.
The journey through prostate cancer is not one a man should have to face alone. Sharing this journey with family, particularly sons, can transform a difficult experience into a powerful opportunity for growth, awareness and family bonding. Fathers who are open about their diagnosis empower their sons to be proactive about their health, break down the stigma around male health issues and build a stronger, more transparent relationship.
This story was created using AI technology.
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